Ringling Bros. Elephant Falls and Collapses in Anaheim

Sarah, a sick 54-year old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey elephant, fell down from a ramp and collapsed while being loaded onto a train in Anaheim, CA, after performing at the Honda Center late Sunday, August 7, 2011. Eye witnesses captured the incident on video and notified Animal Defenders International (ADI). Ringling was recently cited by the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act for failing to properly treat Sarah's chronic medical conditions. ADI has filed a complaint with the USDA, asking for Sarah to be taken off the road to get the veterinary attention she needs. ADI is concerned that Ringling is more interested in keeping the "show on the road" than Sarah's welfare. ADI believes Sarah should be retired to a sanctuary. (video courtesy of Ashley Zarate)

Animal Defenders International (ADI) has filed a formal complaint calling on USDA Western Regional Director, Robert Gibbens, to check on Sarah, a sick elephant at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performances at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Eye witnesses saw Sarah fall down and collapse late last night while attempting to climb up the ramp onto the train car after leaving the Ringling performances at the Honda Center. The USDA complaint is available upon request.

Sign On San Diego reported last month that USDA inspectors had cited Ringling Bros. in Colorado Springs for not properly treating Sarah, this same 54-year old Asian elephant who is suffering from a chronic condition with pus-like discharge in her urine.

"Sarah is sick and the stress and fatigue has likely led to this dangerous fall. This elephant needs to taken off the road immediately so she can be properly evaluated and treated by a veterinarian," said Matt Rossell, Campaigns Director for Animal Defenders International. "Many traveling elephants are sick and still forced to perform—and incidents like Sarah's fall, underline the dangers faced by animals chained and caged in this impoverished life on the road."

ADI will host a protest and education outreach event at the opening night performance of Ringling Bros. next stop in Ontario, CA, this Wednesday, Aug 10th starting at 6:00 pm, at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764.

Local Ontario animal control officers were initially alerted by ADI about Sarah's fall and they said they plan to keep an eye on her through the last performance that is scheduled for Sunday, Aug 14, 2011.

Contact Animal Defenders International (ADI) and sign up for our E-newsletters so you can get news and action alerts giving details about how you can help Sarah and other animals similarly suffering in circuses. contact ADI at www.adiusa.org or usa@ad-international.org or 323-935-2234

Leading the 'Break the Chain' campaign, ADI works with animal rights and welfare organizations across the U.S. to bring awareness on a local grassroots level to the communities in which animal circuses perform.

For over 18 years, ADI has conducted investigations of circuses all over the world and has produced comprehensive reports, including one in the U.S. called "Science on Suffering," which details evidence of animal suffering in circuses as a result of extreme confinement, constant traveling and cruel training practices. More information is available on the ADI website: http://adiusa.org

ADI's Mission: To educate, create awareness, and promote the interest of humanity in the cause of justice, and the suppression of all forms of cruelty to animals wherever possible to alleviate suffering, and to conserve and protect animals and the environment.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• elephant
• circus
• Ringling Bros.
• Animal Defenders International
• fall
• endangered
• species
• cruelty

[ramon19141]

They need to ban all these circus shows or at the very least not allow them to use animals. Sarah is just one of many circus animals that are abused on a daily basis.

[ramon19141]

Your defensive reply to the various comments that I have read shows all of us the kind of person you are. You do indeed represent the circus with all it's cruelty. It shows in your sarcasm. More reason for everyone reading this to BAN THE CIRCUS! We CAN if we all work together. DON'T TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO SEE ANY CIRCUS!!! They will continue to abuse animals. The people who work in the circus are just like CIRCUSBOY90210, Just read all his comments, he gives himself away!

[circusboy90210]

@pebbles92able there are no monopolies left they were all broken up by anti trust laws that almost ruined this nation.

[circusboy90210]

@pebbles92able you don't even know Kenneth Feld or any of his family, or any of the shareholders of Feld Inc. keep your opinions to yourself because you don't have the foggiest about how things really happen. Narrow minded? I have 7 phd's my mind is totally open to knowledge and learning. my comments are anything but narrow minded as you can see the analogy's made by myself are wide and varied in subject, and grounded in reality. you however are in a dream world where only your beliefs r valid

[SerpentGirl21]

i wanna smack that mottherfucker who is trying to block your view.

[circusboy90210]

@pebbles92able me and many other people in Feld entertainment are very highly educated. there are people with master's degrees in marketing, & accounting who work there. you make it seem like Ringling is full of side show rejects with 5 chromosomes & 3 teeth a piece.  Ringling is the cream de la cream of all circus work. I know people who were medical doctors with legitimate private practice who became clowns. you really don't know what your talking about here. I have several real educations.

[TheYummilious]

These people have rights due the the 1st amendments. These cops should understand.

[pebbles92able]

@circusboy90210 are you kidding me society is being ran by monopolies (strong companies).. I never said you were a charlatan. You work for one and you just go along with the system. You are their subordinates, definitely nothing special about you.. Nothing cruel/ corrupted?! Dont be narrow-minded which clearly it has been conclusive that you are thouroughly and throughout your comments, the ANIMALS ARE BEING ABUSED!!

[circusboy90210]

@pebbles92able hahaha now your funny, and hypocritical if I were a charlatan I would be getting more than 25 cents a day. often there were well over a thousand dollars a day earned. there was nothing cruel or corrupt going on in Ringling. I had a quarter of a train car for myself. monopoly's do not exist today. if not on a train we are put up in hotels costing up to $500 day. you have no idea what your talking about, once again you fail horribly.

[pebbles92able]

@circusboy90210 If you ostensibly know so much then why is it so complicated to understand basic things like WILD animals belong in the WILD